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When to Plant Cilantro in Curry County, OR

Curry County, Oregon Zone 9b May

Top priorities for Curry County, Oregon gardeners in May

May is a pivotal month for Curry County, Oregon gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 21
Avg. first frost November 21
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Harvest cilantro as they ripen

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: cilantro

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Cilantro is a dual-purpose herb providing fresh leaves (cilantro) and dried seeds (coriander). It bolts quickly in heat, producing flowers beloved by beneficial insects.

Curry County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 295 feet, Curry County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Cilantro during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cilantro root diseases.

Curry County, OR (Zone 9b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Curry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Curry County

How your county's soil matches Cilantro's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Cilantro's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Curry County is excellent for Cilantro — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.4%) — Cilantro will thrive.

How to Plant Cilantro

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cilantro

7
successive plantings in your 245-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 26.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cilantro

Cilantro needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cilantro Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 8.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0.9" 1.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 7.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Curry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cilantro Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cilantro needs ~950 GDD — county provides 4,655 GDD Excellent fit

Cilantro Planting Timeline — Curry County, OR

Cilantro Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 21
Harvest April 25 Apr 25 – Jun 27
Fall Sowing September 26 Sep 26 – Oct 10

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

245 days in Curry County

Growing Tips for Cilantro in Curry County

Direct sow Cilantro outdoors after March 21 in Curry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Curry County reach 92°F — grow Cilantro as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 245.0-day season in Curry County allows multiple plantings of Cilantro. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Cilantro in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Succession sow every 2-3 weeks. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather. Harvest leaves before flowering or allow some plants to go to seed for coriander and self-sowing.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cilantro in Curry County, OR?

Curry County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Cilantro planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Curry County, OR?

Curry County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 21.

🌱

Your Curry County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Curry County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Curry County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.